Pac-12 basketball: My picks for POY, COY, all-conference and more

*** The top-three teams entering this week, Oregon, UCLA and Cal, lost their weeknight games by a combined 48 points and led for a grand total of 5+ minutes. (Way to peak at the right time!) Heading into the final day, it’s jammed at the top, jammed in the middle and jammed at the bottom. Not a single seed has been locked up. Nuts …

The league won’t announce its award winners until early next week.

I’m calling my shot ahead of time.

As you read what follows, please note that I give far more weight to conference play than to the season as a whole.

Here we go …

*** Player of the YearWinner: Cal’s Allen CrabbeAlso considered: ASU’s Jahii Carson and Colorado’s Andre Roberson.Comment: Despite some quiet performances, Crabbe has been the best in a league woefully short on dominant players. In addition to leading the conference in scoring, he has 7+ rebounds in nine league games. For pure value to his team, Carson is tough to beat.

*** Coach of the YearWinner: Oregon’s Dana AltmanAlso considered: USC’s Bob Cantu and ASU’s Herb Sendek.Comment: An easy pick. In terms of talent, the Ducks are middle of the Pac, yet they’re in first place and were without their point guard for a month. Cantu has been USC’s head coach for all but four league games — more than enough to be a legit candidate.

*** Freshman of the Year
Winner: UCLA’s Shabazz MuhammadAlso considered: UCLA’s Kyle Anderson and Jordan Adams and Oregon’s Damyean Dotson.Comment: Even though he’s a freshman, Jahii Carson was not considered. He practiced with the Sun Devils last season while sitting out because of academics; that puts him in a different category than players who were in high school a year ago. (Please note: Carson will be eligible for the Pac-12’s FOY award and could very well win. By any measure, he has been sensational.)

*** Defensive player of the Year
Winner: Colorado’s Andre RobersonAlso considered: ASU’s Carrick FelixComment: Roberson does more things well on the defensive end than anyone else. He defends well in man-to-man; he leads the league in overall rebounding, defensive rebounding, and steals; and he’s eighth in blocked shots. (His numbers in league play are similar.)

*** All-conference

* First teamCal’s Allen Crabbe
ASU’s Jahii Carson
Colorado’s Andre Roberson
UCLA’s Larry Drew
UCLA’s Shabazz MuhammadComment: Arizona’s Solomon Hill had a first-rate season. But is he more worthy than the players listed above? Not in my opinion. (If you’re wondering about Drew: 1st in assists, 1st in asst/to ratio, 2nd in 3-pt %, 3rd in steals in league play.)